On March 16, 2010, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a notice in the Federal Register proposing to amend Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) pertaining to the distribution of courtesy notices of liquidation. Specifically, CBP proposes to amend 19 CFR 159 by removing any reference to Customs Form 4333-A when used in connection with courtesy notices.

Currently, CBP's Technology Center transmits electronic courtesy notices to all Automated Broker Interface (ABI) filers and mails paper courtesy notices, on CBP Form 4333-A, to all importers of record whose entry summaries are set to liquidate by each port of entry. As a result, importers of record who are also ABI filers receive two notices: a paper notice and an electronic notice that the ABI filer receives on behalf of the importer of record.

CBP is proposing to discontinue mailing paper courtesy notices to importers of record whose entry summaries are filed in ABI because the ABI filer, who is either the importer of record or a customs broker, already receives an electronic courtesy notice of liquidation. CBP estimates that this amendment will save the agency $3.8 million annually by eliminating 90% of the paper courtesy notices currently sent to importers.

The proposed changes will not affect CBP's obligation to post the official bulletin notice of liquidation in the customhouse at all ports of entry pursuant to 19 CFR 159.9(b). In addition, CBP Form 4333-A will continue to be used as a notice of extension and suspension.